Strengthening rights and opportunities for Vietnam’s industrial workers

Across Vietnam’s industrial zones, hundreds of young women leave their hometowns hoping for a better life. But once inside the factories, many discover a reality filled with long hours, low wages, and very little time for themselves. Some work up to 11 hours a day or take on extra jobs to support their families. Mothers often carry a “double shift,” returning home to the bulk of domestic chores. Many say they barely see their children awake.

Life at work brings its own challenges. Some women are unaware of their basic rights under the Labour Code, such as paid menstrual breaks, or work in conditions that harm their reproductive health. Others face unwanted comments, pressure for sexual favors, or unsafe environments where speaking up seems impossible. For most migrant workers, opportunities to grow, train, or move ahead professionally remain out of reach.

The Mộng Ước Mới (MUM) project was created for these women: for their safety, their well-being, and their future. In Hà Nội, Hải Phòng and Đà nẵng, the project works hand-in-hand with factories to prevent violence and discrimination and ensure that companies respect national and international labour standards. For the women themselves, MUM builds spaces for connection, offers health checks, workshops, and awareness activities, and opens doors to better jobs through digital and soft-skills training.

Above all, MUM helps migrant women workers reclaim something essential: the power to dream of a life with dignity, opportunity, and choice.